Charts

ABSTRACT

A wall chart and indicator members therefor, the chart having substantially horizontally extending indicator member supports with which the indicator members can be engaged to hang therefrom.

United States Pet-tent James 1 Apr. 24, 1973 CHARTS 480,164 8/1892Barrett ..35/73 x [75] Inventor: David Maidon James, Hambrook ll38561/1912 Hall near Chichester England 1393136 /192 2,664,208 12 1953Goodman ..211/123 x [73] Asslgnee: Beanstaik Shelving Limited, Sussex,2,844,890 7/1958 Oliver ..35/33 X England 2,902,776 9/1959 But1er......35/73 x 3 492,747 2 1 7 ..4 22 Filed: Dec. 7, 11970 9 0 May 0/19 5 X[21] APPL 95,575 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 501,564 8/1948 Canada..211/35 Foreign Application Priority Data Primary ExaminerI-Iarland S.Skogquist Dec. 8, 1969 Great Britam ..59,876/69 Atmmey Waters RoditiSchwartz & Nissen [52] U.S. CI. ..35/73, 211/123, 40/195 7 AB TEA T [51]KntuCl "G09? 3/20 [5 1 S (I [58] Field of Search ..35/24 A, 27, 33, Awall chart and indicator members therefor, the

/40, 73, 77; /195, 28 C; 21 1/34, 35, 36, chart having substantiallyhorizontally extending in- 37, 123; 272/60, 63 dicator member supportswith which the indicator members can be engaged to hang therefrom. [56]References Cited 15 Ciaims, 12 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS171,884 1/1876 Taylor ..35/73 268,468 12/1882 Eastman ..35/73 4/I 11 T A4 Patented April 24, 1973 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.6A

Patented April 24, 1973 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented April 24, 1973 5Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented April 24, 1973 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 CHARTS Thisinvention relates to charts of the kind comprising a base member thatcan be secured to a wall or other upright member, and a set of indicatormembers, so-called signals, that can be selectively mounted on the basemember so that information carried or constituted by the indicatormember id displayed.

According to the present invention, there is provided a chart of thekind comprising a base member that can be secured to a wall or otherupright member, and a set of indicator members, so-called signals,"adapted to be selectively mounted on the base member so that informationcarried or constituted by the indicator members is displayed, said basemember being formed of a number of U-sectioned channel members, barssecuring said channel members together in side-by-side relationship,said bars extending at right angles to the side members of the channelmembers, said bars forming indicator member supports when the basemember is secured to said wall or other upright member with the barsextending substantially horizontally; and indicator members of said seteach having a part adapted to be engaged'with said supports, when thebase member is so secured, so that the indicator members can beselectively mounted on the base member supported by said supports.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same maybe carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a grid panel forming the base member of achart of the kind specified,

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line IIII of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is an end view, on a larger scale, of a peripheral trim strip ofthe panel of FIGS. 1 and 2,

FIG. 4 is a view taken in the direction of arrow IV of FIG. 5, and alsoon a larger scale, of a corner moulding associated with the trim strip,

FIG. Sis a front view of the corner moulding,

FIG. 6 is a side view on a still larger scale of an indicator cardholder,

FIG. 6A is a side view (on a smaller scale than FIG. 6) of onealternative form of holder,

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of another alternative form of holder,

FIG. 7 is a front view of the card holder of FIG. 6,

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the card holder of FIGS. 6 and 7,

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the card holder of FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, and

FIG. 10 is a side view showing an indicator card holder holding anindicator card and mounted on the grid panel.

The grid panel 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a number of shallowU-sectioned channel members 2 disposed sideby-side. Bars 3 extendingatright-angles to the side members 2A of the channel members 2 passthrough aligned holes in these side members 2A and serve to' secure thechannel members 2 together. This is achieved, during manufacture of thegrid panel, by passing bars through the holes in a desired number ofchannel members disposed side-by-side, the bars being of such a lengthas to project slightly beyond the outermost side members 2A. A revolvingabrasive wheel or disc is then passed along the outer face of eachoutermost side member 2A to reduce the surplus wire end portions flushwith these outer faces. This action also increases the area of the endsof the bars thereby to lock them in the outermost side members 2A.Preferably the channel members are formed of synthetic plastics materialand the bars of aluminum. In this case, the heat generated in trimmingthe bar ends softens the plastics material which fuses with the bar endsbeing worked. Alternatively, each bar 3 can be rivetted-over at each ofits ends thereby to secure the channel members 2 together, or some othermethod of securing the bars to the channels, for example tightening nutson screwthreaded ends of the bars, can be employed. Instead of, or aswell as, increasing the area of the ends of the bars, other portions ofeach bar can be increased in area as compared with the remainder of thebar whereby the bar is locked in at least some of the side members ofthe channel members of the base member Likewise other portions of eachbar can be rivetted-over, or screwthreaded and nuts tightened thereupon,whereby the bar is locked in at least some of the side members of thechannel members of the base member. Furthermore portions of the bars canbe fused or welded to side members of the channel members withoutincreasing the area of the bars proper. As an alternative to the holesin the side members 2A, key-hole slots can be provided extending downfrom the free edges of the side members and into which the bars can beforced from above. The channel members 2 can, of course, be formed ofother material, for example metal or wood, and the bars 3 can, forexample, be formed of a metal other than aluminum, or of a syntheticplastics material. The bars 3 can have any desired cross-section. Thespacing of the bars 3 is such that the bars 3 and side members 2A definea grid of substantially square mesh.

In the case where the bar ends are finished-off flush with the outermostside member faces, the panel can be placed next to another such panelwith no gap between the two panels. As shown in FIGS. l and 2, however,

the panel 1 has an outer frame 4 that surrounds the perimeter of thepanel 1. This frame 4 is made-up of trim strips 4A and corner mouldings48. Each trim strip 4A (see FIGS. 2 and 3 has a plate portion 5 that canbe secured to the back of the panel 1, for example by adhesive, doubleadhesive pads, screws or rivets, and a C- sectioned portion 6 integralwith the portion 5. When the trim strip 4A is secured to the panel 1,the portion 6 runs along the edge of the panel 1 so as to open to therear. With the upper trim strip 4A so secured to the panel 1, the panelcan be secured to a wall or other upright member with the bars 3extending horizontally. This is achieved by sliding the trim strip overthe heads of two or more screws previously screwed into the wall so asto leave an appropriate gap between the underside of each head and thewall, the screw heads thus being rendered captive in the portion 6 ofthe trim strip. Alternatively, the trim strip can be slid onto a hingedbar extending horizontally from a wall or other upright member andpivotable about a vertical axis. In this case, if a plurality of suchbars are provided, several grid panels can be mounted one behind theother. In either of these methods of mounting, a trim strip along thebottom edge of the panel 1 can be similarly secured to further screws ora further hinged bar.

Where the panel 1 is provided with the complete frame 4, that is wheretop, bottom and side trim strips 4A are provided, the corner mouldings43 (see FIGS. 4 and 5-) are utilized. Each of these mouldings consistsof a corner block 7 having two spigots 8 extending therefrom atright-angles to one another. The spigots 8 are a force fit in the trimstrip C-sectioned portion 6 so that they serve to lock the completedframe 4A together.

The trim strips 4A can be formed of metal such as aluminum, or of asynthetic plastics material, and the corner mouldings 4B can be ofmetal, synthetic plastics material or wood. It will be appreciated thatthe particular shapes and colors of the strips 4A and moulding 4B can beas desired.

A further method of mounting the panel 1 on a wall or other uprightmember is to utilize metal plates each carrying one, or a stack of,double adhesive pad(s) on one face. Each plate is secured to the wall,the screw passing through the adhesive pad(s) so as to be buriedtherein, and the panel is then pressed onto the pads. This method isparticularly suitable where the wall is of unplastered brick. On asmooth surfaced wall, double adhesive pads alone may be utilized, oneside of each pad being adhered to the wall and the other to the back ofthe panel 1.

Indicator members 9, so-called signals, of the set of indicator membersof the chart are shown in FIG. 1 in position on the panel 1. Each member9 consists ofa card 9A removably gripped in a holder 9B (FIGS. 6, 7

and 8). The holder 98 has a channel-sectioned base portion into whichthe card 9A can be inserted, the holder being formed of a resilientmetal or plastics material so that one limb of the portion 10 deflectswith respect to the other limb and the card is gripped between the twolimbs. From the web of the base portion 10 an arm portion 11 extendsforwardly and upwardly (with respect to the position of the indicatormember 9 on the panel 1). This portion 11 has ribs 12 formed on both itssurfaces to assist manual manipulation of the indicator member 9. Fromthe lower surface of the arm portion 11 a pair of spigots 13 projectdownwardly.

The holders 98 can be of various colors if so desired and the cards 9Amay either be plain, so that information to be displayed may beimpressed thereupon as desired, or may be preprinted or otherwiseinscribed. Alternatively, one or more of the cards may be formed so asto constitute a piece of information to be displayed. The cards can beof any suitable material, for example, a synthetic plastics material.

In use, with the grid panel 1 secured to, for example, a wall with thebars 3 extending horizontally, each indicator member 9 can be mounted onthe panel 1 in any desired position as indicated in FIG. 1. To mount amember 9, it is slipped down behind one of the bars 3, between adjacentchannel side members 2A, until the forwardly-extending arm portion 11 ofthe holder 98 comes to rest on the bar 3 with the bar 3 disposed betweenthe spigots l3 and the adjacent limb of the card holder base portion 10see FIG. 10. The member 9 thus hangs from the bar which serves as anindicator member support. The length of each spigot 13 is greater thanthe gap between the bar 3 and the web of the adjacent channel member 2so that if the indicator member 9 is pivoted clockwise as viewed in FIG.10, the spigots serve to prevent the member 9 slipping down between thebar and the web. The overall length of each of the members 9 shown inFIG. 1 is such that the bottom edge portion of the card 9A of one member9 is disposed behind the next bar 3 down, and behind the upper part ofthe holder 98 of another member 9 where, as shown in FIG. 1, this othermember 9 is mounted on this part of the next bar 3 down. If desired, thecards 9A can be of a length such as to fill two or more squares of thegrid panel 1 whereby a member 9 mounted immediately below a member 9 of,say, double length will mask the lower half of the double length member.

In alternative forms, not shown, the spigots 13 are replaced by one ormore protuberances of other shape than that of the spigots 13, or thearm portion 11 is otherwise suitably increased in section.

The alternative form of card holder 93' of FIG. 6A is formed from asheet of resilient material bent to a configuration similar to that ofthe holder 93 already described. Thus the holder 93' has a base portion10 that can releasably grip a card 9A, and an arm portion 11, theseportions 10' and ill corresponding to the portions 10 and ll of theholder 93. I

The alternative form of card holder 98" of FIG. 6B is also formed from asingle sheet of resilient material bent, cast pressed or otherwiseformed into a fork-like configuration and having portions 10" and 11"corresponding to the portions 10, 10' and 11, 11' described above.Adjacent prongs of the portion 10" are staggered with respect to eachother so that a card can be gripped between the prongs.

The arm portions 11', 11" of either of the card holders 9B, 913" can beprovided with suitable spigots, protuberances or so increased in sectionthat they cannot slip down between a bar 3 and the adjacent channelmember web. It will be appreciated that the card holders 9B, 9B can beformed of any suitable resilient metal or plastics material.

An alternative form of base member (not shown), to replace the gridpanel 1 described above, is formed as a single or sectional mouldinghaving a base from which parallel ribs extend outwardly, these ribscorresponding to the side members 2A of the channel members 2 describedabove. Indicator member supports in the form of spigots are formedintegrally with the ribs, these spigots projecting inwardly with respectto each adjacent pair of ribs and so as to extend substantiallyhorizontally when the base member is mounted on a wall or other uprightmember. The spigots serve the same function as the bars 3 describedabove. This alternative form of base member can be made of formed metalwith the spigots fashioned from or formed on these ribs and inclinedinwardly.

It is to be noted that, although the chart has been described as beingused with the bars 3 disposed horizontally, the chart can be secured toa wall or other upright member with the bars 3 extending vertically andit will, in this condition, support indicator members 9 inserted asdescribed above, the members resting, on their sides, on the sidemembers of the channel members and supported by the bars 3.

What we claim is:

1. A chart of the kind comprising a base member that can be secured to awall or other upright member, and a set of indicator members, so-calledsignals, adapted to be selectively mounted on the base member so thatinformation carried or constituted by the indicator members isdisplayed, said base member being formed of a number of U-sectionedchannel members, a plurality of bars securing said channel memberstogether in side-by-side relationship, said bars extending at rightangles to the side members of the channel members, said bars formingindicator member supports when the base member is secured to said wallor other upright member with the bars extending substantiallyhorizontally; and indicator members of said set each having a partadapted to be engaged with said support, when the base member is sosecured, so that the indicator members can be selectively mounted on thebase member supported by said supports.

2. Achart as claimed in claim 1, said bars passing through holes formedin the side members.

3. A chart as claimed in claim 1, said bars being engaged in slotsformed in the side members, into which slots the bars are forced fromthe free edges of the side members.

4. A chart as claimed in claim 1, each said bar having portions ofincreased area as compared with the remainder of the bar so as toprovide for locking of the bar in the side members of at least some ofthe channel members of the base member.

5. A chart as claimed in claim 1, portions of each said bar being weldedto side members of at least some of the channel members ofthe basemember.

6. A chart as claimed in claim 1, portions of each said bar being fusedto side members of at least some of the channel members of the basemember.

7. A chart as claimed in claim 1, portions of each said bar beingrivetted-over so as to lock said bar in side members of at least some ofthe channel members of the base member.

8. A chart as claimed in claim 1, portions of each said bar beingthreaded and carrying nuts bearing on faces of the side members of atleast some of the channel members ofthe base member.

9. A chart as claimed in claim 1, comprising a frame surrounding thebase member, the frame being adapted for engaging with screw headsprojecting from said wall or other upright member, or for engaging witha bar, or an upper and lower bar, projecting from a wall or otherupright member, whereby the base member can be secured to the wall orother upright member.

10. A chart as claimed in claim 1, each said indicator member comprisingan indicator card holder adapted to releasably receive an indicator cardto form the indicator member; the holder comprising a first portionformed for resiliently gripping said indicator card and a second portioninclined with respect to the first portion so as to be engageable with arespective one of said indicator member supports of said chart and tomount on said chart the indicator member formed by the holder and thecard.

11. A chart claimed in claim 16, said first portion of the indicatorcard holder being a channel-sectioned base portion of the holder from aweb of which said second portion extends.

12. A chart as claimed in claim 10, said first portion of the indicatorcard holder being formed by staggered prongs having a common edge, saidsecond portion extending from said edge.

13. A chart as claimed in claim 10, comprising spigots projecting fromsaid second portion of the indicator card holder in the same directionas, but spaced from, said first portion, said spigots being adapted inuse, to prevent the holder slipping between the indicator support memberby which it is supported and the chart base member.

14. A chart as claimed in claim 10, comprising at least one protuberanceprojecting from said second portion of the indicator card holder in thesame direction as, but spaced from, said first portion, said at leastone protuberance being adapted in use, to prevent the holder slippingbetween the indicator support member by which it is supported and thechart base member.

15. A chart as claimed in claim 10, said second portion of the indicatorcard holder including ribs to assist

1. A chart of the kind comprising a base member that can be secured to awall or other upright member, and a set of indicator members, so-called''''signals,'''' adapted to be selectively mounted on the base member sothat information carried or constituted by the indicator members isdisplayed, said base member being formed of a number of U-sectionedchannel members, a plurality of bars securing said channel memberstogether in side-by-side relationship, said bars extending at rightangles to the side members of the channel members, said bars formingindicator member supports when the base member is secured to said wallor other upright member with the bars extending substantiallyhorizontally; and indicator members of said set each having a partadapted to be engaged with said support, when the base member is sosecured, so that the indicator members can be selectively mounted on thebase member supported by said supports.
 2. A chart as claimed in claim1, said bars passing through holes formed in the side members.
 3. Achart as claimed in claim 1, said bars being engaged in slots formed inthe side members, into which slots the bars are forced from the freeedges of the side members.
 4. A chart as claimed in claim 1, each saidbar having portions of increased area as compared with the remainder ofthe bar so as to provide for locking of the bar in the side members ofat least some of the channel members of the base member.
 5. A chart asclaimed in claim 1, portions of each said bar being welded to sidemembers of at least some of the channel members of the base member.
 6. Achart as claimed in claim 1, portions of each said bar being fused toside members of at least some of the channel members of the base member.7. A chart as claimed in claim 1, portions of each said bar beingrivetted-over so as to lock said bar in side members of at least some ofthe channel members of the base member.
 8. A chart as claimed in claim1, portions of each said bar being threaded and carrying nuts bearing onfaces of the side members of at least some of the channel members of thebase member.
 9. A chart as claimed in claim 1, comprising a framesurrounding the base member, the frame being adapted for engaging withscrew heads projecting from said wall or other upright member, or forengaging with a bar, or an upper and lower bar, projecting from a wallor other upright member, whereby the base member can be secured to thewall or other upright member.
 10. A chart as claimed in claim 1, eachsaid indicator member comprising an indicator card holder adapted toreleasably receive an indicator card to form the indicator member; theholder comprising a first portion formed for resiliently gripping saidindicator card and a second portion inclined with respect to the firstportion so as to be engageable with a respective one of said indicatormember supports of said chart and to mount on said chart the indicatormember formed by the holder and the card.
 11. A chart as claimed inclaim 10, said first portion of the indicator card holder being achannel-sectioned base portion of the holder from a web of which saidsecond portion extends.
 12. A chart as claimed in claim 10, said firstportion of the indicator card holder being formed by staggered prongshaving a common edge, said second portion extending from said edge. 13.A chart as claimed in claim 10, comprising spigots projecting from saidsecond portion of the indicator card holder in the same direction as,but spaced from, said first portion, said spigots being adapted in use,to prevent the holder slipping between the indicator support member bywhich it is supported and the chart base member.
 14. A chart as claimedin claim 10, comprising at least one protuberance projecting from saidsecond portion of the indicator card holder in the same direction as,but spaced from, said first portion, said at least one protuberancebeing adapted in use, to prevent the holder slipping between theindicator support member by which it is supported and the chart basemember.
 15. A chart as claimed in claim 10, said second portion of theindicator card holder including ribs to assist in manual manipulation ofthe holder.